Portable support handle to assist users to safely exit and enter a motor vehicle

ABSTRACT

A portable support handle for assisting individuals in exiting and entering motor vehicles. The support handle is designed to removably engage a door striker pin of the vehicle when the door is in an open position. The handle preferably comprises a metal shaft including a pin engagement portion sized to lockably fit into an opening defined by the striker pin in a deployed position; and a grip portion which extends laterally from the striker pin in the deployed position to provide a secure, readily accessible temporary support.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates to a portable support handle for assistingindividuals in exiting and entering motor vehicles. The support handleis designed to removably engage a door striker pin of the vehicle whenthe door is in an open position.

BACKGROUND

Individuals having mobility impairment, such as the elderly, disabledand expectant mothers, often have difficulty exiting and entering motorvehicles. Many such individuals are not capable of easily moving from asitting position inside the vehicle to a standing position outside thevehicle, or vice versa, without assistance. The problem is exacerbatedby the fact that many vehicles sit low to the ground for improvedhandling and fuel economy, thereby requiring more physical strength andeffort for vehicle occupants to rise to a standing position.

For example, elderly drivers having reduced leg strength and flexibilitytypically attempt to support themselves when exiting a vehicle bygrabbing hold of the open car door and pushing upwardly. Additionally oralternatively such drivers may brace one arm on the car seat cushion ordoor frame while twisting their torso outwardly. These movements mayresult in strain and accidental falls. More particularly, the vehicledoor provides insufficient support for many users. Since the vehicledoor swings on a hinge it is not secure and may be difficult to reach ifthe door is fully open. Similarly, the seat cushion and door frames ofmost cars also do not include gripping points which are secure andeasily accessible. The possibility of accidental falls and injuriesincreases in the case of slippery conditions (i.e. due to snow, ice, wetpavement or the like).

The ability to safely exit and enter a vehicle without assistance fromanother person is often important in maintaining the independence andself-esteem of elderly and disabled drivers. Some vehicle entry andegress systems are known in the prior art to address this problem. Forexample, U.S. Pat. No. 5,104,169, Kopnski, dated 14 Apr. 1992, relatesto a handicap assist apparatus for securement to a roof above thepassenger compartment of a vehicle. The apparatus includes a flexibletether line for grasping by the handicapped person.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,626,016, Bergsten, dated 2 Dec. 1986 also exemplifiesthe prior art. Bergsten discloses a structural aid for facilitatingegress from a vehicle which includes sleeve means mounted in the vehicledoor frame and a handlebar insertable therein. The sleeve means includesa mounting plate which is secured to the door post flange with fastenersand a sleeve which is welded to the mounting plate.

Such prior art systems require structural modification of the vehicle inquestion which requires skilled labour, is relatively expensive and maypotentially invalidate product warranties and insurance coverage.Furthermore, many known prior art systems are relatively complex andcumbersome and are therefore unsuitable for individuals who are mildlyor temporarily disabled or who wish to use the mobility aid on severaldifferent vehicles.

The need has therefore arisen for a portable support handle securelyconnectable to the standard door striker pin of a motor vehicle forassisting users to safely enter and exit the vehicle.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In accordance with the invention, a portable support handle forremovably engaging a striker pin mounted on the door frame of a vehicleis provided. The striker pin defines an opening for receiving the doorlatch of the vehicle when the vehicle door is closed, but ordinarilydoes not serve a useful purpose when the door is opened. The supporthandle comprises an elongated shaft having a first end and a second end;a pin engagement portion located at the first end, the pin engagementportion having a longitudinal axis; and a hand grip located at thesecond end. The support handle is characterized in that the pinengagement portion is moveable between a disengaged position freelymoveable relative to the striker pin and an engaged position wherein thepin engagement portion is lockably coupled to the striker pin and thehand grip extends outwardly of the vehicle to provide a temporarysupport.

Preferably the pin engagement portion is insertable through the strikerpin opening and is rotatably adjustable about its longitudinal axisbetween the engaged and disengaged positions. In one embodiment the pinengagement portion is rotatable approximately 45 degrees between theengaged and disengaged positions. The pin engagement portion maycomprise a body having a transverse axis extending between opposed sidesurfaces of the body, wherein the pin engagement portion is insertablethrough the opening only when the transverse axis is aligned with thewidest portion of the opening. For example, if the striker pin openingis rectangular in shape, the widest portion would consist of thediagonal of the opening and the pin engagement portion would beinsertable through the opening when the transverse axis is aligned withthe diagonal.

More particularly, the pin engagement portion may comprise a neckportion having a transverse dimension less than the width of the openingand a head portion tapering outwardly from the neck portion in adirection away from the longitudinal axis, the head portion having atransverse dimension which exceeds the width and length of the openingbut which is less than the diagonal of the opening. In a preferredembodiment of the invention, the said side surfaces of the body arebevelled at least in the head portion of the pin engagement portion toenable passage of the pin engagement portion through the opening.

The support handle may further include a central portion extendingbetween the pin engagement portion and the hand grip which is of a sizeincapable of passing through the striker pin opening. Preferably the pinengagement portion is inclined relative to the central portion such thatsaid longitudinal axis of said pin engagement portion intersects thelongitudinal axis of the central portion at an angle of approximately 15degrees. The hand grip may also be inclined relative to the centralportion and pin engagement portion such that the hand grip has ahorizontal or near-horizontal orientation in the engaged position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention but whichshould not be construed as restricting the spirit or scope of theinvention in any way,

FIG. 1 is a rear isometric view of the applicant's support handle.

FIG. 2 is a front isometric view of the applicant's support handle.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 4(a) is a side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 4(b) is a longitudinal sectional view thereof;

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a striker pin assembly mounted on thevehicle door frame;

FIG. 6 is an isometric view showing the applicant's handle in adisengaged position being inserted into the striker pin opening;

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the handle in the engaged, lockedposition.

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the handle of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of the handle coupled to the striker pin inan alternative orientation;

FIG. 10(a) is an isometric, partially exploded view of an alternativeembodiment of the invention coupled to the vehicle door frame and shownin the stowed position; and

FIG. 10(b) is an isometric view of the embodiment of FIG. 10(a) shown inthe deployed position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

This application relates to a portable support handle 10 for use as amobility aid to assist users in safely entering and exiting motorvehicles. With reference to FIGS. 1-5, handle 10 includes an elongatedshaft 12 having a first end 14 and a second end 16. Shaft 12 has acentral portion 18 having a generally flat surface 20 (FIG. 4). Centralportion 18 further includes flat, parallel side surfaces 21 which extendin a plane perpendicular to surface 20.

A pin engagement portion 22 extends from central portion 18 to first end14 and a grip portion 24 extends from central portion 18 to second end16 (FIG. 4(b)). As shown best in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b), both pinengagement portion 22 and grip portion 24 are inclined at an angle (e.g.15%) relative to the plane of surface 20.

Pin engagement portion 22 includes a narrow neck 26 which tapersinwardly from central portion 18 and a flared head 28 which tapersgently outwardly from neck 26 to first end 14. The side surfaces 30 offlared head 28 are bevelled as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

Handle 10 further includes a hand grip 32 which preferably surroundsgrip portion 24 of shaft 12. Hand grip 32 may be made of any suitablenon-slip material, such as closed cell polymer foam. Shaft 12 ispreferably made of high tension stainless steel.

Support handle 10 is designed to securely and removably engage the doorstriker pin 50 of a motor vehicle, such as a car or truck. Striker pin50 is designed to receive the locking latch of the vehicle door to holdthe door locked in the closed position and to hold the door to the doorframe in the case of impact. In most vehicles striker pin 50 is aU-shaped rod mounted on the pillar 52 of the door frame 54 (FIG. 5).Striker pin 50 ordinarily does not have a functional purpose when thedoor is opened.

As shown in FIG. 6, striker pin 50 includes a mounting plate 56 securedto door pillar 52 and two parallel spaced-apart rod segments 58 whichextend outwardly from plate 56. Segments 58 are joined at a locationdistal from plate 56 by rod segment 60. Striker pin rod segments 58, 60together define a rectangular opening 62. The size of opening 62 variesdepending upon vehicle model. Most Japanese and domestic passengervehicles have an opening 62 on the order of 21 or 22 mm square. Thediagonal of opening 62 (i.e. the dimension measured from corner tocorner) is ordinarily approximately 26 mm.

An important feature of applicant's invention is that support handle 10is designed so that only the pin engagement portion 22 of shaft 12 issized to pass through striker pin opening 62. In one embodiment of theinvention, handle shaft central portion 18 has a width of approximately22.5 mm; neck 26 has a minimum width of approximately 15 mm; and flaredhead 28 has a maximum width of approximately 23.5 mm. The hand grip 32surrounding grip portion 24 has a much wider diameter (i.e. on the orderof 40 mm). Since the width of flared head 28 exceeds the space betweenparallel striker pin rod segments 58, and between rod segment 60 andmounting plate 56, pin engagement portion 22 is only insertable throughopening 62 on the diagonal. Once inserted, handle 10 is fully rotatablewithin opening 62 since neck 26 has a much smaller diameter than flaredhead 28 as discussed above (FIG. 6). Central portion 18 is sized so thatit is not insertable through opening 62 in any orientation. Althoughcentral portion 18 has a width similar to flared head 28, side surfaces21 are not bevelled unlike head side surfaces 30. The edges of sidesurfaces 21 accordingly engage rod segments 58, 60 when handle 10 ismoved into opening 62, thereby preventing the insertion of shaft centralportion 18 through opening 62.

In use, handle 10 is used to provide additional support to users havingdifficulty exiting or entering motor vehicles. A vehicle occupant firstopens an adjacent car door to expose door striker pin 50. The user nextgrasps hand grip 32 and inserts the pin engagement portion 22 of shaft12 through striker pin opening 62 in a diagonal orientation as discussedabove (FIG. 6). Once flared head 28 has passed through opening 62, theuser rotates handle 10 until grip 32 extends laterally outwardly ofstriker pin 50 in a horizontal or near horizontal plane (FIGS. 7 and 8).Handle 12 is self-locking in this support position. In particular,handle shaft 12 cannot move further into opening 62 due to engagement ofcentral portion 18 against striker rod plate 56 and segments 58, 60; andhandle shaft 12 cannot be withdrawn from opening 62 due to engagement offlared head 28 against plate 56 and rod segment 60.

Once handle 10 has been coupled to striker pin 50 as aforesaid, it canbe used to support a user rising from a sitting position inside a motorvehicle to a standing position outside the vehicle. In this supportposition handle 10 functions acts as a lever, namely a downward forceapplied to grip 32 (as the user presses downwardly on grip 32 to supporthis or her weight) causes the upper surface of flared head 28 to moreforcefully engage striker rod segment 58. Accordingly, handle 10provides a very stable and reliable support which is readily accessible.Striker pin 50 and support handle 10 are sufficiently strong to supportvery heavy loads (exceeding the weight of any ordinary user).

Handle 10 may be used similarly to assist users moving from a standingposition outside a motor vehicle to a sitting position inside thevehicle. As.shown in FIG. 9, handle 10 may also optionally be orientedso that surface 20 faces downwardly and grip 32 extends at an angle ofapproximately 45% relative to striker pin 50. In this position the usercan apply a pulling rather than a pushing force to grip 32. Again, thelarger force that is applied to grip 32 by the user, the more securelyflared head 22 will engage striking pin 50.

After a user has safely moved to the desired location, support handle 10may be disengaged from striker pin 50 by rotating handle 10approximately 45 degrees to the diagonal orientation and withdrawing itfrom opening 62. When not in use, handle 10 may be stowed in the glovecompartment of the vehicle or any other easily accessible location, suchas a sheath affixed to the vehicle door panel.

In alternative embodiments of the invention, the grip portion 24 ofhandle may include a cavity for housing optional accessories, such as aportable flashlight, reflector, personal panic device (siren) or asupply of pepper spray. Handles 10 could be provided in a wide range ofdecorative colors and shapes.

As will be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art, in otheralternative embodiments of the invention, handle 10 may be designed toremovably engage the door striker pin 50 by other mechanical means, suchas self-closing clamping devices or shafts having pin engagementportions contoured in different shapes.

Further, in an alternative embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS.10(a) and 10(b), handle 10 could be pivotably coupled to the vehicledoor frame and moveable between stowed and deployed positions ratherthan being fully portable. A stop 60 is may be mounted on the vehicledoor frame to support handle 10 in the deployed position

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of theforegoing disclosure, many alterations and modifications are possible inthe practice of this invention without departing from the spirit orscope thereof. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to beconstrued in accordance with the substance defined by the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable support handle for removably engaginga striker pin mounted on the door frame of a vehicle, the striker pindefining an opening, wherein said support handle comprises an elongatedshaft having a first end and a second end; a pin engagement portionhaving a longitudinal axis, said pin engagement portion being located atsaid first end; and a hand grip located at said second end, wherein saidsupport handle is characterized in that: said pin engagement portion ismoveable between a disengaged position freely movable relative to saidstriker pin and an engaged position wherein said pin engagement portionis lockably coupled to said striker pin, said pin engagement portioncomprises a body having a transverse axis extending between opposed sidesurfaces of said body, wherein said pin engagement portion is insertablethrough said opening only when said transverse axis is aligned with awidest portion of said opening, and said opening is rectangular inshape, said widest portion being the diagonal of said opening, whereinsaid pin engagement portion comprises a neck portion having a transversedimension less than the width of said opening and a head portiontapering outwardly from said neck portion in a direction away from saidlongitudinal axis, wherein said head portion has a transverse dimensionwhich exceeds the width and length of said opening but which is lessthan the diagonal of said opening.
 2. The support handle of claim 1,wherein said pin engagement portion is rotatably adjustable about saidlongitudinal axis between said engaged and disengaged positions.
 3. Thesupport handle of claim 1, wherein said transverse axis is in alignmentwith said widest portion of said opening in said disengaged position andis rotated out of alignment with said widest portion in said lockedposition.
 4. The support handle of claim 1, wherein said side surfacesof said body are bevelled at least in said head portion of said pinengagement portion to enable passage of said pin engagement portionthrough said opening.
 5. The support handle of claim 1, wherein saidhandle further comprises a central portion extending between said pinengagement portion and said hand grip and having a longitudinal axis,wherein said central portion is sized to not fit through said opening.6. The support handle of claim 1, wherein said pin engagement portion isinclined relative to said central portion such that said longitudinalaxis of said pin engagement portion intersects said longitudinal axis ofsaid central portion at an angle of approximately 15 degrees.
 7. Thesupport handle of claim 1, wherein said pin engagement portion and saidcentral portion comprise integral portions of said shaft.
 8. The supporthandle of claim 1, wherein said striker pin comprises a U-shaped bardefining said opening, said bar functioning as a fulcrum for supportinglimited pivoting motion of said handle relative to said striker pin. 9.The support handle of claim 1, wherein said pin engagement portion isinsertable through said opening and is rotatably adjustable about saidlongitudinal axis between said engaged and disengaged positions.
 10. Thesupport handle of claim 9, wherein said pin engagement portion isrotatable approximately 45 degrees between said engaged and disengagedpositions.